Super Single Sisters of 2002 - African American women

FROM a psychiatrist to a soccer player to Rudy Huxtable, these 24 sensational Sisters are making Brothers' heads turn in all directions. They are the cream of the crop, and Brothers better come correct if they hope to have a chance.

They are doctors and lawyers and sports stars, women looking for men who can fulfill them emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. From coach Stephanie Ready to nuclear pharmacist Dr. Ella Armstrong to news anchor Regina Carswell to Phoenix Mercury star forward Lisa Harrison, these women are strong, self-sufficient and sexy.

Despite their independence, they all admit they'd like someone to share their life with, someone just as ambitious and assertive as they are, someone who can handle dating a successful Black woman. To appeal to one of these Sisters, a Brother must have more than smooth lines and a handsome face. "There are a lot of attractive people out there," says actress Keshia Knight Pulliam, "but not a lot who have their own goals, their own determination."

Keshia Knight Pulliam 23, Atlanta

For eight years, she was Rudy, the precocious youngest daughter of Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable, on the award-winning and critically acclaimed The Cosby Show. All grown up now, little Rudy graduated last May from Spelman College in Atlanta and is moving on to more adult roles, like starring in the UPN movie What About Your Friends? When she isn't acting or producing, Pulliam can be found in the bookstore reading, at the gym or spending time with her two cocker spaniels, Chip and Blonde. Her ideal man is the total package--intelligent, attractive, God-fearing, supportive, with personality and "a spark about him that makes him truly unique," she says.

Dominique Dawes 25, Washington, D.C., area

A three-time Olympian (1992, 1996, 2000) and the first African-American to win a medal in an individual gymnastics event, Dominique Dawes has no intention of slowing down She has performed on Broadway in the hit musical Grease and plans to go into broadcasting, having just graduated from college with a communications degree. Dawes, who considers herself "pretty chill," says she enjoys the simple things in life. Anyone interested in her should be secure, intelligent and "believes in a higher power and fears that higher power."

Stephanie Ready 25, Greenville, South Carolina

Stephanie Ready is becoming a familiar name in the history books. Not only is she the first woman to ever coach a professional men's basketball team as assistant coach of the Greenville Groove, but her team also won the National Basketball Development League's inaugural championship this year. Ready enjoys spending time outdoors and watching basketball on all levels. "I have little cousins who play," she says. "I try to go to their games." Her dream guy must have intelligence, a good sense of humor and be flexible. "Because of what I do for a living, I need somebody who is very flexible and understanding, because everything can change at a moment's notice."

Sharolta Nonen 24, Atlanta

A professional soccer player from Vancouver, British Columbia, Nonen is adapting to life in Atlanta and playing for the Atlanta Beat, part of the Women's United Soccer Association. Nonen was formerly a mainstay on the Canadian National Women's Soccer Team anda three-time All-American at the University of Nebraska. Nonen, who likes to read during her downtime, says her ideal man is someone who is personable, honest and trustworthy. A self-professed romantic, her idea of a great first date is a nice, quiet dinner anda walk on the beach. There's only one problem. "There's no beach in Atlanta," she says. "But in Vancouver, we'd be able to have a nice walk on the beach and watch the sunset."

Lisa Harrison 31, Phoenix and Louisville, Ky.

Though laid-back off the court, the 6-foot-1-inch Harrison of the Phoenix Mercury is a fierce competitor on the basketball court. A collegiate star and finalist for the 1993 Naismith Award, the University of Tennessee All-American loves hiking, running, going shopping and going to the movies. Her dream guy is "someone with a good personality," she says, "someone I'm attracted to, someone who has morals, a good heart and easy to get along with."

Regina Carswell 34, Cincinnati

Carswell is a television news anchor and host of a half-hour public affairs talk show on Fox affiliate WXIX (Channel 19). She enjoys cooking, dancing and volunteers as a grade-school mentor. She seeks a spiritual family man with impeccable character balanced by a flair for spontaneity, "someone I can learn from, intellectually, spiritually, emotionally."

Shenequa L. Grey 29, Shreveport, La.

An assistant district attorney with Caddo Parish, Grey is an aspiring author currently working on her first book, a legal thriller. She is seeking a highly motivated, goal-oriented, God-fearing professional man who can appreciate being treated like a king and can reciprocate that treatment.

Nadia Sellers 37, Lansing, Mich.

Sellers is founder and chief executive officer of her own executive search firm and training company. In her spare time, she enjoys golf, basketball, horseback riding and basketball. Her ideal man is 6-foot-1 or taller and over 30. He should be a risk-taker, love the outdoors and have a zest for life.